10 Finger Grip Problems in Golf

by
MIKE WINE Last Updated: Sep 11, 2017

Mike Wine

Mike Wine received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado in 1979, and has been writing ever since. His work has appeared in "Golfing" and "Senior Golfing" magazines. He is a member of the Professional Golfer's Association of America, and operates The Mike Wine Golf Academy in Tennessee.

In golf and baseball, children might benefit from a 10-finger grip, but healthy-handed golfers get better power and accuracy from an overlapping or interlocking grip.Photo Credit boy batting baseball image by pixelcarpenter from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

The 10-finger golf grip, also called the baseball grip, can be a good choice for children and for adults with arthritis or other hand ailments. But if you are a healthy-handed adult, you should choose either of two grips: the interlocking grip (the pinkie finger of the right hand and index finger are interlaced), or the overlapping grip (the pinkie finger rides piggy-back on the middle knuckle of the left hand). Over time, the 10-finger grip will cause problems in your game.

Right Hand Takes Over

It might feel powerful to throw your right hand at the ball, but if the right hand overpowers your left hand you will actually lose power and hit crooked shots. Ben Hogan, speaking about the hands, said you must hit as hard with the left as with the right. By interlocking or overlapping your grip, you equalize the hands and marry them together. The 10-finger grip gives too much power to the right hand.

Hands Fire Out of Sync

It's not enough to hit hard with both hands--they must fire in the correct sequence. First, the left arm and hand must deliver the club into the hitting area, which is about waist-high in the downswing. Then the right arm can deliver its power down the target line. With a 10-finger grip, the right hand gets into the act too early and fires from the top of the swing, which destroys your timing.

Causes Loss of Power

The 10-finger grip might feel powerful because all five fingers of the right hand are on the club, but it really is not. A truly powerful grip marries your hands together, and each adds power to the other. Because your hands are connected by an overlapping or interlocking grip, they are able to apply constant power to the ball. In a 10-finger grip, the hands can split apart during the swing, which causes your power to dissipate.